Friday, January 12, 2024
We woke at Burunge Lake Lodge to bird chorus. After breakfast, we drove to a Maasai village for demonstrations and small group tours. The Maasai are pastoral people of the region and lifestyle has changed little in the past 100 years. Their life revolves around their cattle, sheep, goats and donkeys. Saw the inside of a mud hut; it was very primitive. We were led through the “shopping” area and picked a few things that totaled $375! We put a lot back but still spent over $100. It was a disturbing shopping experience, and although we were happy to purchase some items in support of the village, we were taken advantage of. Later in the trip we saw items they claimed to have made ($15 each) elsewhere for 7 for $10.
Then we went on to two different schools where Doreen has been an active supporter. We helped plant trees at one school and we listed to their songs and sang with them. Some of the group played soccer with the kids while we talked and showed photos to other kids. Pete showed some kids his “removable thumb” trick. Joyce set down her cell phone and another member of the group picked it up by mistake, setting off a massive hunt. Our friend finally went to take a pic and said “Oh my god I have her cell phone”.
We spent the night at Manyara Lake View Oasis Tented Lodge. All of us were very tired but Gayle and Pete took a walking tour with a guide to the lake. Doreen got stung by wasps so couldn’t walk with us. Saw flamingos, blacksmith birds, herons, a few gazelles, and hippos that were in the lake. We are all exhausted. Swam in the pool, nice dinner, a gymnast show and bed. Great breakfasts with custom made omelets, probably the best food so far.
